ZHIGULEVSK RUSSIA

Jun 03 2026FINANCE

Oil‑Revenue Surge Shakes Russia’s Budget

Russia’s government earned a record 9. 3 billion dollars from oil and gas taxes in May, up more than a third compared with last year. The rise comes as global oil prices climb after tensions in the Middle East, giving the country a much-needed boost. The tax haul now makes up about 20 percent of

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Jun 03 2026TECHNOLOGY

Siberian Banks Pitch “Home‑Made” AI to Developing Nations

Russia’s largest bank is offering its own artificial‑intelligence tools to countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania that worry about privacy and cultural fit in Western products. The bank’s chief AI officer said the system is not as fast or large as top U. S. models, but it follows local

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Jun 02 2026FINANCE

Russia struggles to balance war costs with economic stability

Russia is facing tough choices as its war spending in Ukraine clashes with growing financial strain. Officials in Moscow have quietly warned that the current defense budget is unsustainable, risking deeper economic trouble. The Finance Ministry and central bank argue that without cuts elsewhere, the

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May 31 2026POLITICS

Russia’s Desperate Hunt for Tech Under Sanctions

Russia is scrambling to get its hands on advanced technology from the West, not just to keep its military running but to stay relevant in the long run. With sanctions squeezing its economy and years of war draining resources, Moscow is turning to spies, fake companies, and cyberattacks to steal what

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May 30 2026POLITICS

Russia Pulls Back Its Ambassador From Armenia Ahead of Elections

Russia decided to bring back its ambassador from Armenia for talks, showing disapproval of the country’s growing friendship with the European Union. The move comes as Armenia plans a vote on June 7, and its leader looks to strengthen ties with the West. Armenia, a small nation of about 3 million

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May 27 2026POLITICS

Russia Lets Banks Fight Back Against Drones

Russia has adopted a new law that gives its central bank and major banks the right to set up defense systems and arm employees so they can stop drone attacks without involving military forces. The law, approved by the lower house of parliament, is a response to the frequent drone strikes launched fr

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May 18 2026POLITICS

Russia and China’s Deepening Bond Beyond Just Energy

Russia and China’s relationship keeps growing in ways that go far beyond oil and trade. Officials in Moscow highlight education and technology as key parts of their partnership. This goes against the idea that the two countries only work together because of pressure from the West. Their cooperation

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May 11 2026POLITICS

Armenia under fire for hosting Zelenskiy amid Russia’s growing tensions

Russia has sharply criticized Armenia for allowing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to speak in Yerevan last week. During his visit, Zelenskiy warned that Russian leaders might face drone threats over Red Square during Moscow’s Victory Day parade on May 9—a claim Moscow dismissed as reckless.

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May 07 2026FINANCE

Russia’s currency moves hint at oil price struggles, not just Middle East chaos

Russia plans to buy foreign cash for the first time since the Ukraine war began, but not as much as experts thought it would. The government will spend 110. 3 billion roubles—mostly in Chinese yuan—between May 8 and June 4 to top up its rainy-day fund. The idea is to keep the rouble from shooting up

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May 01 2026POLITICS

Russia Turns to China for War Tech

Russian arms makers are now getting more than nine out of ten pieces of restricted equipment from China. This shift follows tighter European controls that block many supply routes, pushing Moscow to look eastward for support. The share of Chinese‑supplied tech has risen from roughly eight out of

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